Meg Shepherd-Foster started fencing when she was 6. She fenced foil for 10 years, winning the Leon Paul U15 title, before switching to her favoured weapon, Epee, where she achieved her most success. She was Cadet No 1, Junior No 1 and England Senior No 1. Titles won include the Bristol, Nottingham and Isle of Wight Opens, as well as the age group and U20 national titles.

In 2001 she contracted Glandular Fever, and has since suffered from ME. She finally retired from competing in 2009, but not before representing Wales at two Quads and as part of the 2009 winning Winton Cup team.

Qualifications: BFA Level 1 Foil Coach, a BFA and BAF Level 2 Epee Coach and also holds an APFC Level 2 Sabre qualification. She is a fully qualified English Teacher and has attended the BFA Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshops, as well as Team Manager Training.

She is a trained referee and has volunteered as such at both the 2008 and 2009 UKSG events, and as an official referee at cadet epee events abroad in 2008-9.

She has been invited to be assistant coach to the GB Cadet Girls Epee team this year (2009-2010).

Meg was awarded the ‘Contribution to Sport’ award at the Radio Carmarthen ‘Local Heroes’ event in 2009.

Her proudest moment as a fencer was, “representing GB at the Wolrd Championships in 1999 and 2001” and her proudest moment as a coach has been, “seeing one of my students at his first GB international event this year.”

Phil Shepherd-Foster started fencing when he was a teenager and remains a serious fixture in the Welsh team even now. He won the Nottingham University ‘Team Captain of the Year’ award and his team won the league that year.

He is an already successful young coach with two of his students qualifying for the Cadet Europeans Championships in 2010 (see left) and has now been invited to take part in the National Academy program where he is developing his skills.

Qualifications: BFA and BAF Level 2 Sabre Coach, he also holds an APFC Level 2 Epee qualification. He is a qualified Science Teacher and has attended the BFA Safeguarding and Protecting Children workshops, as well as Team Manager Training.

Phil is a trained referee and often volunteers at local events. He was also part of the DT at the UKSG in 2008 and 2009.

Phil is a passionate coach and always gives 100% to his students. He is a great tactician and greatly respected by his students.

Phil plans to be coaching until they, ‘nail the coffin shut’. His proudest moment as a fencer was ‘being presented with the Men’s Team Captain of the Year Award - we’d won the league!” and his proudest moment as a coach was ‘travelling to Athens with Meg Lillycrop and Libby Jones to see them compete for GB.”

Both Meg and Phil are first aid trained, and CRB checked.